September Update!

Hickstead

Six girls on board, the horses, Poppy, Madam and Holly and Kirsty, Lauren and myself!

Madam and Lauren were entered for the two unaffiliated Novice classes, Poppy in the BD Novice and Holly in the unaffiliated elementary and Medium our first medium test. Lauren had two thirds on Madam very consistent results. Poppy was fourth with a 67.95% in her first Novice BD which I was very pleased with. 

Holly won both her classes only being 4 in a class though, but I was still very pleased how she went. She finds the dressage a bit exciting! We scored a 60% in the medium I also did go wrong once, (little out of practice!) there were little things we need to improve on more bend and suppleness in the half passes in trot and canter. I will be signing Holly up to BD, lots of practice over the winter for us.  Also been having lessons with Liz West once a month with two horses. So hoping my dressage should be fairly good next year!

Even managed to do my ice bucket challenge thanks to Kirsty and Lauren, fitted in after a hot day!

Ireland trip

Always love an Ireland trip going to Goresbridge Horse Sales.  Dad, Lauren and I went. Mind you a trip to the horse sales is not that fun when you're only window shopping!

We also meet a few contacts we have out in Ireland whilst on the trip. There were so many nice horses going through.  The first day was the 5 year old plus sale there was only one which stood out that day a lovely dun 5 year gelding 15.1hh. 

We didn't leave the sales until late.  We met up with Edie and Shane who were there for the week horsey buying. Went out that evening had the best fillet steak (the Irish know how to cook) then went for a few drinks in a pub with live music had a few to many gin & tonics! Second day was the 4 year old sale, there were so many more quality horses going through, another nice dun Connemara also a grey connie was very tempted to bid, my hand had to stay down this time need to sell some horses back home first, and come back out in November.

It was a quick rush back from Stansted Airport to Lodge Farm for Lauren to ride Monty and Juno around the hunter trial, we met her mum there who drove the lorry with Kirsty who got the horses ready (thank you girls) I couldn't stay and watch as I had christening to attend. 

Monty went clear in the 2'6" ft and Juno clear in the 90cm a great end to the weekend!

Munstead!

A new ride for Lauren as I'm still out of action BE. Monty is owned by Tanya Reed who owned Spitfire Jack  who we produced and sold on Tanya's behalf. This was Monty's first BE event. We have been out a lot XC schooling in preparation. 

Dressage he scored a 37.5 a little disappointed as we thought he went better, just rolled one pole show jumping and done a super clear XC, just missing out on the placings next stop for Monty is Pulborough.

Special Wedding

The weekend after Munstead was Kate's wedding who owns the two lovely dark mares Poppy and Madam. Kate and Christian got married at Firle Place a beautiful setting for a wedding, I took both the mares there for photos. Kate looked amazing and the photos will look awesome both the girls looked amazing too. Kate got onto Madam for photos, no rehearsal she didn't mind the dress at all, think I made someone's day - well the horses did! Rush back put the horses to bed then back to the evening wedding reception. Fantastic wedding!

The beautiful bride with Madam

Hunting

Early start to a Wednesday morning, meet was at 7am in Ticehurst a 20 minute hack from us. Lauren took Lola for a first experience cubbing (Lola is for sale) I took Holly and my mum took  her pony Sam. 

Lola was a true lady and exceptional especially as it was her first meet, I plan on taking her to a few more meets before someone snaps her up! 

Lola out hunting

It's not so much fun when your reins snap out hunting!  I was lucky as after the rein went Holly and I just cantered across the field and stopped, not great when you have a broken leg! Luckily Holly is a good girl.

Snapped rein!

My leg is feeling a lot stronger just waiting on my second x-ray to get the all clear! Fingers crossed all will be fine, the NHS have seemed to have forgotten about me, not sure when the appointment will be.

I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped me keep everything running owners, friends, family and of course my lovely sponsors Dragonfly Saddlery who have been great with all that's happened.  Not the season I planned but I'm pleased how much we've all still be able to get out and compete.

Next stop is Firle hunter trial with six horses, blog soon! 

Munstead - 23 March 2014

Munstead was my first BE event of the season and it was very exciting to be out again! 

With all the wet weather we have had,I didn't think it would run but the ground was perfect. 

A big thank you to all the organises and volunteers for all the hard work that went into organising and running it - it's always a great event.  

Holly and Ollie the two mature horses were off to Munstead for their first run, wanted to give Holly a nice first run at BE100 level just to build her confidence up. She lost her confidence back in 2010 at Houghon Hall where we did our first CCI**  I think it was a bit too much too soon. She started stopping a lot after that which was most uncharacteristic as she's so bold XC. So I took the decision to bring her back down to BE100 and Novice level to give her time to find her feet again. 

Good first run though scoring a 32.5 dressage even with her not doing her medium walk (jig jogging - a particular Holly trait!). I try and calm her working her in before the dressage the problem Holly has is she's so keen on the jumping phase quite a lot depends on where the dressage arena is situated in relation to the showjumping and XC course!  

Holly and Ollie at the lorry

Holly waiting patiently at the SJ arena!

Holly in action SJ

We had a fab clear showjumping and were walking back to the lorry when the heavens opened (a hail storm) it looked like we had snow! 

Hail storm - looked like a layer of snow!!

There's no way you can really prepare yourself being caught in a hailstorm competing.  I've ridden in terrible wind and rain many times but can't say I've been in too many hail storms whilst competing the horses.

We then went cross country and she did a fab clear however I had no brakes! 

Ollie was in the BE100+ he had a 35.5 dressage and clear show jumping.  We were all warmed up ready to go XC in the start box the red light went off to stop the course as another hail storm started. So glad I wasn't out on course at the time!  Ollie had a fab clear but being a little sticky over the ditches. This is something that I'll be working on with him XC schooling.  Through the season I tend to try to go XC schooling at least every other week.  It's really important to help the horses and not just expect them to perform at events, they need help in between to make sure their confidence is at the right level.

Ollie - held at the start box XC because of the hail!

Overall good start to the season and two pink rosettes (5th) both ending up double clear and finishing on their dressage scores.

The next event  will be South of England, Holly in the Open Novice and Ollie BE100. 

Lots of practising in between off to Pyecombe this weekend 5th & 6th April and Nick Turner clinic Tuesday 8th April. I've been finding Nick's clinics really beneficial, Nick is the High Performance Manager for Eventing Ireland and it's great to be able to have someone so experienced nearby holding clinics.

South of England – 28 September 2013

SOE is one of my favourite events. I took Ollie & Holly again but this time Holly was entered for open novice.

Holly had a year off last year trying to put her into foal that did happen but instead I fell pregnant!! So she has had longer off then expected.

I started the season off in July and started her off Open BE100, last event of the season I decided to do novice, and hopefully the start of next season going Novice.

Early start 8:00 am dressage on Ollie, we did an average test of 32 and double clear, I thought there were a lot of questions to ask XC for a BE100 but no problem for Ollie (the show jumper!) he came 1^st finishing on just his dressage score.

I was pleased with Holly's test of 30.5, we had 4 faults show jumping and a lovely clear XC (finishing 17^th), I’ve not competed at novice level in a year, I was so happy to get around and clear. It's so nice being back on my lovely mare hopefully be back doing Intermediate and International classes next year.

Now on the agenda will be BSJA with Holly, Ollie and JJ (Cullawn Royale), Dressage and Combined Training. I’m hoping to do 1.30m classes with Ollie, he’s already qualified for 1.15m second rounds.

The horses will only have a week off this year when I'm away in Dubai as they have only done half a season. 

Wearing my lovely Charles Owen AYR8 hat from Dragonfly Saddlery (www.dragonflysaddlery.co.uk).  I wear it now for both dressage and showjumping as it's so smart!

Munstead - 22 September 2013

I had my dressage at 11.00 am on Holly so didn't need to leave until 7.45 am which was nice and not quite such an early start!

After I had done my dressage on Ollie (he had a 32 dressage) at midday we had a few hours to spare before I showjumped, so we walked the course and saw two rider falls! The course was causing a few problems especially at fence 15 a roll top with a ditch underneath. This was the fence I thought Ollie might have a look at!

I showjumped Ollie first and he did a super clear. XC we went clear taking one longer route at the water, instead of jumping the step down in water (where we have fallen twice didn't fancy a third time getting wet!) he jumped number 15 perfect with big encouragement from me!!

Holly was a star and went double clear and winning her section with a dressage of 25, Ollie came 2nd in his section so it was a good day. Thanks to my groom Kirsty for making them look pretty!!

Ollie on the XC jumping the roll top!

South of England - 22-23 September 2012

This is my favourite local event as it's always well run and has a well built XC course. 

I had three Cullawn horses entered Cullawn My Way aka Corby, Cullawn Warrior aka Ollie and Cullawn Celtic Queen aka Lady.

I took three of them on Saturday - Corby in the BE100, Ollie in the Novice and Lady doing her CIC** dressage so had three tests to remember!  My friends and mum can't believe I can remember tests as I'm no good at remembering other things (without a bit of reminding!)!

Corby was a superstar scoring a 24 dressage, one pole in the SJ and clear XC being placed 3rd again. 

We thought we would try Ollie out again at Novice he started the day off well with a 35 dressage and a super clear round SJ. XC was next - started off great had a few brake problems but was jumping bold and clear until fence 13 (unlucky for us!) it was a log to a step down 2 strides to another log, we had a run out at the first part then jumped it then the step was too scary for Ollie. Mum said she could see his legs shaking bless him! He did eventually go down but we were eliminated.

It was Lady's turn for her dressage, I've not competed her at ** for two years. She was a bit naughty and very tense so we didn't score a great test we got 61.7.

Back on the Sunday for XC with Lady. Not a great day for eventing! As soon as I got on Lady I was wet through! The weather was awful! We ended up having a run out at number 6 which was a pheasant feeder to a narrow arrowhead which is unlike her so I decided to retire. The XC was abandoned before the Intermediate and OI due to flooding!  The weather has been seriously rubbish this season for eventing!

Talking of the weather - know I mentioned them the other day but still really impressed with the waterproof jods (Equetech) I picked up at Dragonfly Saddlery http://www.dragonflysaddlery.co.uk/.  They've made my life so much easier with the really bad weather.  It's miserable spending all day up the yard when you get caught in a downpour.  My legs have stayed nice and dry and warm.  They are a really good investment especially because the weather is so rubbish and lots of people have limited time to ride.  At least I can just get on and work through the weather.  Perhaps they'll make an all in one suit so I can guarantee all of me stays dry!!   http://www.dragonflysaddlery.co.uk/addtocart.asp?categoryid=&subcatid=&hr=&categoryname=&subcatname=&itemid=2943 

https://twitter.com/LisaPilbeam/status/250894065388879872/photo/1/large

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So we didn't finish the season great with Lady but she will be back next season just the first half then she will be making a baby in the summer! 

Next stop Pulborough with the 3 boys Ollie, Corby and Tango.